In the late 1970s, Christopher Alexander became an icon in the architecture world with his book, A Pattern Language. In it, he argued for injecting personal, emotional and spiritual qualities into manmade structures, streets and cities. Alexander's book challenged the architectural establishment and derided much that's been built over the past century as "deadly."

We were first exposed to his work by Matt and Gail Taylor, masters in designing living, collaborative spaces that accelerate innovation through releasing group genius.